First, I need a NEW COMPUTER!!!! Next, I need to try to keep up with QuirkyK.  I just posted my first blog and it was on the wrong blog server.  Kristen wondered how I did that… she made me go back and put a link to this blog which meant that I had to figure out how I did it in the first place. Then I had to figure out how to get here and then put the link back there.  Not sure I got it right, just more reason to frustrate QuirkyK!

Boy was she right about family and friends.  Where would we all be without them?  QuirkyK spends WAY MORE TIME ON THE INTERNET than anyone I know.  My sister once told me that my house could be condemned because I hate to clean and would much rather craft.  At least Kristen came by it honestly.  And truth be told neither of our houses could be condemned – just not spit shining clean (may Mom rest in heaven – she was the spit shine cleaner!)

I’m excited about the direction my crafting is going.  Spinning, dying wool and cotton, and sewing costumes (historical – not Halloween), quilting, and machine embroidery.  I love entering my work in the North Carolina State Fair.  Last year (2012) I took 13 ribbons for 15 entries and one was Best of Show, not bragging or anything.  Actually I was floored!  No wonder I love doing it.  This year I am planning on entering a lace dress knitted in coral bamboo, a red-work quilt with a center piece hand embroidered by my Mom, and a steam-punk Victorian satin dress.  And maybe a skein of art yarn. Guess I better quit typing and get busy.

More after I get a different computer with a keyboard that actually works.

Wouldn’t you know, my first post and I put it on an old blog account!  Just in case you read this or my previous blog in the future please go to :

http://quirkykristen.com/

Thanks!

In the past we have always offered “finished” products.  Well now, we are going to start offering home-made supplies!  This started because my daughter and her other half bought me my long dreamed for spinning wheel – a beautiful Schacht Lady Bug! Then we met a local farmer  that was willing to let us have all the fleece from his herd of sheep in exchange for helping with the shearing.  Let me tell you, that was a learning experience!  27 sheep later, a $500 carder purchased, every color of Jacquard acid-free dye obtained and hundreds of hours of spinning under my belt, I now feel that my end product is worthy of scrutiny,  and worthy of being sold.  Hence, I will now be marketing my lovingly created skeins under the name of “Simply Country Yarns” in the hopes that other knitters, crocheters, felters, and crafters will find creative ways to put my yarns to good use.

Blueridge

In addition, I have always loved lace.  After working with dying the aforementioned wool, I thought how fun it would be to dye my own lace weight cotton and tencel in order to create lace in beautiful colors. (I also started spinning local cotton!)  In addition, I received several books on lace making which inspired me even more.  So now I have quite a collection of beautiful, unique lace.  Again, I thought I would offer my lace for sale so that other artisans could add special touches to their own unique creations.  I have several pieces ready for sale and can’t wait to make more!  Most of the lace I am making is in one yard lengths.  Of course if you see something you like and would like more, or maybe in a different colorway I would be more than willing to work with you.

I hope our new additions find their way into your designs.

QuirkyD